Iran warns of retaliation against nations joining U.S. sanctions campaign

Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, told state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday that any state joining the United States’ “economic war” against Tehran would be considered an enemy and could face “seismic” retaliation. He urged all nations, including regional neighbours, not to support the U.S. sanctions and warned that even a single drop of oil would not leave the Gulf if countries complied with the pressure.

Rezaei outlined a three-stage response: first diplomatic talks with cooperating states, followed by pressure to distance themselves from the United States, and, if that fails, direct strikes on the country’s interests. He suggested that alternative export routes such as the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could become targets.

The remarks came as the Trump administration announced plans to impose new sanctions, describing them as the “most crushing economic operation” yet and promising “tremendous economic consequences” for any nation providing Tehran with a lifeline. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the stance, telling allies they must choose to be “with us or against us.”

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, described the situation as a full-scale economic, military and security war with the United States, rejecting predictions that Iran would collapse under pressure. Analysts noted that Gulf states, while aligned with Washington, must balance their proximity to Iran with the need for stable oil exports, and that both Tehran and regional governments are signaling a willingness to escalate if deterrence fails.